Lambert and May McBride

(Lambert McBride 3 April 1918 to 5 September 2002)
(May McBride 2 January 1917 to 27 June 2002)

Source: Courtesy Linda McBride-Yuke. May and
Lambert McBride in Canberra.

'Lambie' McBride, as he was known, was a Bandjalung man who was
born at Grady's Creek near Kyogle, New South Wales. For many years
he was the honorary secretary of the Queensland Council for the
Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (QCAATSI),
the main Brisbane-based organisation which was affiliated with
FCAATSI. He also served as the Queensland president of QCAATSI.
Lambie's wife and partner in life, May, was the QCAATSI publicity
officer for a time and was a back room supporter of her husband's
campaigns.

Lambie was a contributor who was prepared to go in to bat for
someone who was being treated unjustly. In the 1960s and throughout
the 1970s he drew on a range of connections he had made over the
years as a blue collar worker and on the wharves. He had strong
union ties and wrote many letters asking seamen, wharfies,
plumbers, electricians, building workers and meat workers for moral
and financial support in the work for Aboriginal justice.

Lambie was involved in many campaigns through the 1960s,
including the 1967 Referendum campaign and opposing the Queensland
Aboriginal protection legislation, considered at that time to be
the most repressive in Australia.

He was also involved in the negotiations which led to the
formation of the National Aboriginal Advisory Council, the first
such body to advise the federal government in Indigenous affairs.
He joined Aboriginal Hostels Limited in the 1970s and continued his
involvement in working for Aboriginal people and opposing injustice
until his death.

Lambie received a number of awards throughout his life. He was
awarded the War Service Medal and the Australian Service Medal in
recognition of his war service in the 15th Battalion (transport
division). His work was honored when the local member for the
Brisbane City Council Ward of Marchart, Terry Hampson, officially
opened the Lambert McBride Park at Muller Road. In 2007 the
Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Policy, Warren Pitt, announced the Lambert McBride Perpetual
Bursary of $100,000 for Indigenous students enrolled in a
Queensland university.